Quantcast
PCWorld.com is upgrading some back-end systems. Some site features, such as user registration, may be temporarily unavailable.
Subscribe to magazine

An Inexpensive DLP Projector

Optoma brings out an under-$1400 projector for home theater.

  • 0 Yes
  • 0 No

Optoma Technology H30 DLP Projector (Optoma Technology-H30)

Click here to view full-size image.

Photograph: Kevin Candland
I'm biased about projectors: I recognize that LCD units typically deliver a little better color saturation than Digital Light Processing models do, but I prefer the sharper imaging and superior contrast that you get from DLPs.

My main beef with DLP projectors has been their high price, a problem that Optoma Technology has addressed by introducing its H30 Digital Cinema Projector at $1395, making it the first home-theater DLP unit with such a low initial price. Just last year, DLP projectors cost well over $2000.

At this appealing price, the H30 definitely makes some compromises, as you might expect. The product has a native resolution of 800 by 600, while more-expensive projectors commonly have XGA resolution (1024 by 768). If you care only about watching DVDs, the lower resolution won't matter, because most DVDs are burned in 720 by 480 resolution. A higher-resolution product will display HDTV better, but the H30 is compatible with HDTV, and the HD signals that I watched on the H30 looked great.

I found the projector's lens hood too shallow. The design permitted a small amount of light spillage to appear about 3 feet above images, on the ceiling. I jury-rigged a paper cone around the hood to kill the excess light, but this light might not bother you.

The H30 delivered an attractive, minimally pixelated image that required little adjustment. Both zooming and focusing worked smoothly, and other controls were well designed. I found the H30's fan noise--a factor any smart projector buyer should worry about--acceptable.

If, like me, you intend to use a digital projector for watching DVD movies rather than for viewing standard television or HDTV, the H30 is a bargain.

Ramon G. McLeod

Optoma Technology H30 Digital Cinema Projector
Rated 4 stars

Budget DLP home theater projector cuts a few corners but is still a bargain.
Price when reviewed: $1395
Current prices, if available.

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No

Featured APC Accessories

  • APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
  • APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.

Deal Breakers

Special Offers for PC World Users

People who read this also read:

  • 15 Minutes to a Secure Business Get the Secure in 15 toolkit starting with the "15 Minutes Month-at-a-Glance" calendar. McAfee will send you additional tools and tricks to stay protected around the clock.
  • A Buyer's Guide to Data Protection Implementing data protection products and processes can be daunting. Make the right decisions by exploring what is available and what makes sense for your organization. Use this simple guide to evaluate different vendor offerings.

Sponsored Links